Eric Horner is a nonprofit leader and fundraising expert with experience leading multi-million dollar campaigns in education, high-tech research, community advocacy, financial empowerment and health care. In 2011, Eric founded the consulting firm, Echo Fundraising, to assist smaller foundations, family offices and nonprofit organizations by improving their philanthropic impact by utilizing best practices and services previously available to only large institutions. He has served over a dozen nonprofit clients in Colorado, Illinois, and throughout the Western US.
Eric was the inaugural Assistant Dean for Research and Innovation at University of Colorado Boulder from 2019 to 2022 where he created a new strategic philanthropic portfolio in support of twelve research institutes and the commercialization-startup ecosystem. He was a part of the launch of the CUbit Quantum Initiative and promotion of interdisciplinary research funding on campus. Eric also directed the University of Colorado’s case for support for climate change, including building the partnership with the United Nations Human Rights for the Right Here Right Now Global Climate Summit and launching the campus-wide Mission Zero initiative that empowers student and faculty sustainability innovations. Eric led a $10M campaign at the Grand Canyon Trust advocating for public land conservation and Indigenous Rights in 2025, and served as a fundraising advisor to CO-LABS, High Country News, Savings Collaborative, Financial Empowerment Center of the Rockies, PBS’s Rainbow Socks, Flagstaff Academy, and Peak to Peak Charter School.
Prior to relocating to Colorado, Eric served as CEO and VP Philanthropy for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance national headquarters in Chicago, where he created a national campaign that increased revenue by 30% from major gifts, foundations and corporate partners and led a coalition of 250 chapters. From 2012-2015, Eric led three record-setting reunion campaigns over $50M at his alma mater, Northwestern University, managing the development team, and creating NU’s first social media channels. He also led operations at the University of Chicago and at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where he originated the $1M SkyRise stair-climb event at the Willis Tower, and the ArtFutura fundraiser for art therapy in association with the Art Institute of Chicago.
Eric holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and master’s degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Eric lives in Louisville, Colorado with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Charlotte.